Synonyms of breakthrough

breakthrough

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌthrü 

as in improvement

an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill

Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was one of medicine's great breakthroughs, for penicillin became the first antibiotic to successfully combat bacterial infections in humans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improvement
• advance
• advancement
• enhancement
• development
• innovation
• discovery
• refinement
• evolution
• increase
• upturn
• upswing
• revival
• amelioration
• strengthening
• maturation
• enlightenment
• growth
• betterment
• find
• renaissance
• education
• boost
• expansion
• quantum leap
• uplift
• windfall
• gestation
• ripening
• elaboration
• civilization
• melioration
• upgrade
• perfection
• heightening
• edification
• uptrend
• renascence
• invention

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• setback
• breakdown
• collapse
• crash
• reduction
• impediment
• hindrance
• decrease
• failing
• decline
• deterioration
• stumbling block
• worsening
• lapse
• weakening
• decay
• degeneration
• sinking
• impairment
• descent
• drawback
• shortcoming
• slowing
• lessening
• decadence
• downgrade
• detriment
• glitch
• declension
• diminishment
• disablement
• flagging
• languishment
• ebbing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of breakthrough

But top bankers and regulators also recognize that Europe is lagging in AI investment and the development of frontier companies driving breakthroughs. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 July 2026

If successful, the experimental therapy could deliver an immune rejuvenation breakthrough – one that bolsters the immune system rather than targeting a specific pathogen or disease. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Weisberg points to cases like that of Gabby Petito, where ordinary citizens reviewing their own dashcam footage provided the breakthrough investigators needed to find her remains in a remote Wyoming campground. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

The breakthrough extended Messi’s record with his 20th World Cup goal, his seventh goal of the 2026 tournament and continued his record streak of consecutive World Cup games with a goal, now at eight. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026